Should You Invest in Commodities?

One of the ways that more adventurous investors attempt to add diversity and growth to their portfolios is to invest in commodities. Commodity investing is attractive to many because of the perception that commodities are tangible assets that are backed in a way that a fiat currency can never be. These assets include such items as crops, livestock, metals, and natural resources like oil and lumber. However, it’s important to realize that commodities trading isn’t as straightforward as you might think and that commodities trading comes with an increased amount of perceived risk.

Trading Commodities Futures

For most investors, commodities trading actually means trading commodities futures contracts. While it’s possible to trade for immediate and physical delivery on the spot market, the fact of the matter is that most “regular” investors don’t have the ability to engage in such transactions. The spot market is mostly used by producers and direct commodity consumers. Instead, you are much more likely to trade on the futures market, where you will not receive physical delivery of any sort of goods.

When you trade a commodities futures contract, you are trading a contract for the price of the underlying commodity, and not buying the commodity itself. The contract is settled prior to delivery, and you end up with gains or losses, depending on when you bought, and the price you sell at. A good example of how commodity futures work is when you consider a lumber seller, or producer. These contracts are designed to protect producers:

A lumber seller may project a certain amount of wood to sell. They can sell it ahead of time, in order to cover the costs of harvesting the lumber (and perhaps make a profit as well). While it’s possible that waiting could mean a higher price, selling ahead of time guarantees that a minimum is met. The buyer of the lumber contract pays the producer, and then puts the contract with the lumber seller on the futures market. The contract can then be “bought” and “sold”. If the price moves higher, the contract holder receives profits, since the commodity has gained in value. A lower price, though, means that contract holder loses. The producer, however, has already received payment, so it’s not such a big deal.

Understand the Risks

When you are trading based on futures, you are taking risks that are considered greater than if you were to trade stocks and bonds in the traditional way. Commodity prices are volatile, and affected by changes in global supply, political upheaval, and economic changes. You should also understand the risks of leverage. It’s often possible to use a small amount of your own capital to control large positions. Your gains are magnified in these cases — and so are your losses. You need to carefully assess your situation, and understand the risks before you engage in commodities future trading.

With the arrival of commodity ETFs, many people are interested in dipping their toes in. However, it’s important to realize that, even though these investments can reduce your exposure to risk, they have risks of their own. Because the ETFs are based on futures, and not on the commodities themselves, there is a chance for a situation known as contango, and that has its own risks. Before you invest, make sure you understand the process, and that you are prepared for possible losses.

Written by Tom Drake

Tom Drake is the owner and head writer of Canadian Finance Blog.
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4 Responses to Should You Invest in Commodities?

Commodities are so risky right now, I don’t if I’d be willing to take the chance. Yes, I see that the price of nearly everything is growing, so there might be a potential for a nice return, but the way the markets are going right now, I’m not sure I would run the risk. My preference is real estate…especially in this market.

Commodities will always have a place in society, at least for the foreseeable future. They are taking a hit now, but realistically expected to bounce back and improve over the coming months. Yet, nothing is really as dependable and potentially lucrative as a real estate investment.

Analyst of Wealth Track just recommended buying GCC as a hedge against inflation. He mentioned all of the countries that are trying to print their way out of recession i.e. the more paper currency the more inflation so this might be a good time to invest in commodities.